Clue of the Twisted Candle

m very carefully and slipped

and taking upon himselfthe honours of the e

said T. X.,"but don't let your friendship forLexman prevent your sitting down."For a moment the

he chair and lookinghalf questioningly and half earnestly into the face of the other,"I shouldn't let that fact keep me awake at night. Most peopleare murdered as a result of an introduction. The cases wherepeople murder to

r. Vassalaro last?" a

is eyes as thou

been nearly a week ago."

eek started and again

afraid,"

e did receive a letter, there is considerableevidence," he said as he saw the other hesitate, "because we havethe supporting statements of

ome brownish paper and r

was that momen

olor of the paper or as to th

you burnt the envelope, and I presumed you would have noticedthat.""

this letterout to you . . .""To which letter are you r

ed a threatening let

This letter was handed to you and you alsoread it. Mr. Lexman to your knowledge put

have a recollection of his receiving aletter, I did not read it, nor was it read to m

or read it, nor have it read to you, and thatyou have no knowledge whatever of such

e not seen Vassalaro for a week

at Lewes, that you didnot after leaving him continue on your way to London and then turnyour car and retur

hat is known as Mitre's Lot andre-enter a gate near to the side where your car was, and that y

your arrival in London?""Somewhere in th

X. sm

at half-pasttwelve and pull up to replenish your petrol?

aid T. X. calmly. "There has been, no needfor me to change it as often as you have found th

ting a cigarette,"you will go through life enduring that unhappy experience.""What do you mean?""Just what I say. You will always be expecting to meet oneperson, and meeting an

xmanfrom very serious trouble," he said, "the first of these

ant across

you know"

pt myself andMrs. Lexman.""But my dear good fellow," said Kara, pulling on his gloves, "youhave al

thing about the other clue?""The

revolver!" dra

which the Greek had when he threatened Mr. Lexman.""There, I'm af

e Mrs. Lexman.""I th

r turned w

rrested her,

id T. X. coarsely. He escorted

hauffeur to-night,

th rage stepped da

him my love," saidT. X.,"and make most tender en

hot then he layback on the down cushions and aban